KOUNTZE, Texas Kountze Volunteer Fire Department added a converted military truck to their emergency
response fleet in preparation of wildland fire and flooding.
“This is the first off-road type apparatus that our department has ever had,” said Fire Chief Barry Mitchael.
“Our area went through Hurricane Harvey but seems to be getting 2-3 floods a year now, and high water rescues
are becoming more common.”
Kountze VFD received a 1998 Stewart Stevenson 2.5-ton cargo truck that sits high off the ground and has 4
wheel-drive, which will be beneficial for high-water rescues. The department added a 300-gallon water tank with
foam capability and a high-pressure pump that will contribute to a quick knockdown of wildland or structure
fires. The unit can also draft water from swimming pools or streams to replenish the water supply when fighting
a fire in the more rural area.
“We converted the truck by painting it and adding a slip-on unit, but the unit can be temporarily removed if
flooding occurs again,” said Mitchael. “After removing the slip-on, we can use the truck to rescue up to 12
people.”
According to Mitchael, as a safety precaution, the truck was equipped with a backup camera and a camera in
the bed of the truck, giving the driver full view of any individuals being transported during high water rescue.
The excess military truck was awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DoD
FFP) and the slip-on unit was granted through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, both
programs are administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
“We really appreciate receiving the truck and slip-on grant from Texas A&M Forest Service and for the support
of the Hardin County ESD #1 and our local community,” said Mitchael. “It gives us the opportunity to take the
fight to the fire and the potential to save lives in the event of flooding.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program funded by the Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest
Service. This program currently provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments for the acquisition of
slip-on units that are to be installed onto excess military vehicles, helping in their conversion into firefighting
apparatus.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.